subordinate clause- In a complex
sentence, the clause that cannot exist alone, without the main clause.
verb tense - The form of the verb,
such as simple past tense, simple present tense, present continuous
tense, present perfect tense, present perfect continuous tense, and
so on
time reference- In English, the
time reference indicates the past, the present, and/or the future.
For example, the "present continuous tense" may actually refer to a
future time.
simple sentence- a sentence with
one main clause
complex sentence - a sentence
with - 1) a main clause and 2) a dependent
clause.
Boston
I'm Going
How to Use Present Continuous Tense
to Indicate Future Time
Hello! This is the ESL HELP! Desk, your first
stop for fun help with English grammar and communication. At the
ESL Help Desk, all of our examples and activities are based on authentic
language, either written or spoken by others learners of English and
native speakers.
The ESL HELP! Desk would like to remind you to share your questions
and comments about English with us.
This week we are going to take a trip into the world of grammar. We
are going to discuss an area of confusion for many: The use of the present
continuous (also known as present progressive) tense to indicate future
time.
You are going to hear a sentence. We would like you to tell us what
its time reference is - past, present, or future, and to write your
answer in the box below:
I am traveling to New York.
Join us now for our lesson.
We often use the present continuous tense
to indicate a future time reference.
PART 1
We can use the present continuous tense in a simple
sentence when the future time reference is made clear by the
context , which is often established by the use of
a time word.
tomorrow, tomorrow night, next
week, next year, later, later on, etc.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
What are you doingnext week ?
I'm traveling to New York.
How are you getting there?
I'm taking the train and my husband
is flying .
We're
meeting our friends there. Then we're both
taking the train
back together.
Why
is he flying ?
He's coming
from Washington DC and we'll be meeting in
the City. Then
we're both
flying home together.
Would
you like to go get some coffee nearby? I'm feeling
hungry. My stomach is growling.
Right
now? Hmmm, yes. Sounds good!
*************************
As you can see in the dialogue above, the time reference reverted to
the present by the change in topic and the use of the word "now."
PART 2
We use the present continuous tense in a complex
sentence when the subordinate clause begins with
whenand the whole sentence
refers to the future.
When my daughter grows up
, I’m going to bring her to Vienna and
show her the city where she was born.
When my daughter grows up
, I’m bringing her to Vienna and showing
her the city where she was born.
Now what's the answer to the question we asked you
in the beginning? ("I am traveling to New York.")
The answer is - I don't know - because I would need to
hear the conversation and context in which this sentence was spoken.
It could be either present or future time reference, depending on the
context.
We are now going to conclude our podcast for this week. If you
have any questions or comments, be sure to send us a message by leaving
a comment on
our blog.
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Welcome to
What are you doing
next week ?
